Ok, I got $1400..which RPTV?

steveinaz
steveinaz Posts: 19,538
edited February 2005 in Electronics
Please keep suggestions limited to RPTV's. What would you recommend at a $1400 street price? I'm looking at the Panasonic 47" 47W...ummm, something, something...54, I think...what else should I be looking at?

Years ago I had one of the first Hitachi 55" and it was a great TV, it ran for 10yrs perfectly, no problems....My EX has it now and its still working fine....:mad:
Hitatchi still a good choice?

Oh....um needs to be HDTV ready, does NOT have to have a built in HDTV tuner. I want 16:9 widescreen. Don't care about the audio quality, and don't care about PIP and such....just a good solid video performer, 47" minimum.

Thanks!!
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited February 2005
    Hitachi, Mits, Toshiba...
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2005
    Polkmaniac, what's your thoughts on the Panny's? I have a Panasonic CRT 36" and love it--their big screens good too?
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited February 2005
    There is a Sony at that price range that I like but I don't have the model number handy.

    I would avoid the F series Hitachi at that price unless you could find an S series on clearance. (like the 51S500).

    Don't buy a floor model whatever you do.

    Regards,
    PT
    Never Forget
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by steveinaz
    Polkmaniac, what's your thoughts on the Panny's? I have a Panasonic CRT 36" and love it--their big screens good too?

    We got those Panny's (47") in towards the end of last year. My first impression was that they seemed pretty good. I'll have more info for you after Thursday.

    Regards,
    PT
    Never Forget
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2005
    I picked up a nice Panasonic 53" for less than $1,400 back in November (delivered in December). I am extremely pleased with it. I think Sams Club or Costco may still carry a similar model in your price range. Sears probably still carries it and they will usually deal. I posted about it here:

    http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23550&highlight=panasonic
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited February 2005
    I had a panasonic 51 inch until last year, only thing I noticed is that the pictures began to take on a yellow tint after a while (probably becuase they use plastic lenses...

    Panasonic makes great CRTs, still have one in the house, their RPTVs aren't bad either, just my experience...
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  • ninerbj
    ninerbj Posts: 870
    edited February 2005
    Hitch ...very happy with mine and it's been 2 years now
    "she had the body of Venus, with arms."
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  • okiepolkie
    okiepolkie Posts: 2,258
    edited February 2005
    I think this is the one you are looking for:PT47X54

    My father-in-law has it and likes it a lot. It has a pretty wide angle of viewing and quite a few good adjustments. Using AVIA's calibration disc, there were few things that actually needed large corrections. HD pictures look very good on it, as well as standard def. He is using a Scientific Atlanta HD cable box from Time Warner.

    I'd buy one like it if I needed a new television.

    The only problem I have is that the MSRP on Panasonic's website says $1,399 and CC continues to have a regular price of $1,499 on it. Maybe it cost Panasonic more to manufacture and then never updated the website. I asked a salesman about it, but he didn't have any information about pricing.
    Tschüss
    Zach
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  • dholmes
    dholmes Posts: 1,136
    edited February 2005
    Get a front projector & make your own screen, you can get a good pro. for about 1400.00 that is if you have the room for one.
    My HT set-up Panasonic front proj, 120 in ws screen, ATI amp,Integra 9.8 pre-pro, 2 Polk rti150, cp 1000, 4 fx 1000, Pioneer blu-ray 2 SVS sub pb 12-ultra 2, & Paragon popcorn popper. ps 3 Coaster leather HT recliners.
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  • polksda
    polksda Posts: 716
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by dholmes
    Get a front projector & make your own screen, you can get a good pro. for about 1400.00 that is if you have the room for one.

    That is a good suggesttion *if* you have total control of the lighting. If there's any amount of ambiant light, or you watch a lot during the day, a projector is not the best option...
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  • Toxis
    Toxis Posts: 5,116
    edited February 2005
    Mitsu 48315.
    Never kick a fresh **** on a hot day.

    Home Setup: Sony VPL-VW85 Projo, 92" Stewart Firehawk, Pioneer Elite SC-65, PS3, RTi12 fronts, CSi5, FXi6 rears, RTi6 surround backs, RTi4 height, MFW-15 Subwoofer.

    Car Setup: OEM Radio, RF 360.2v2, Polk SR6500 quad amped off 4 Xtant 1.1 100w mono amps, Xtant 6.1 to run an eD 13av.2, all Stinger wiring and Raammat deadener.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2005
    thanks for the replys/info folks...much appreciated. I went to Sears and saw the 51" Panny, man what a nice picture on that thing--with standard TV broadcast yet. I haven't shopped for big screen since about 10yrs ago, man these things have come along way. Much brighter, no more "washout" and viewing angles are far better than early big screens--this is going to be easy....
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited February 2005
    Exciting, isn't it!?

    Order your Sound & Vision Home Theater Tune-up DVD now, so it will be here when you get your TV. :)
    Never Forget
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2005
    It is exciting. The new family room is a little smaller than our current room, so I think a 47" would be perfect. I'm pretty sold on the Panasonic PT-47W54.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • gmorris
    gmorris Posts: 1,179
    edited February 2005
    I saw a commercial for Circuit City on Monday. It was for a Phillips 60" HDTV monitor for $1295. It was on sale. My guess would be it is a CRT RPTV.

    You would, of course, need a seperate HD tuner.
    Bob Mayo, on the keyboards. Bob Mayo.
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  • Grimster74
    Grimster74 Posts: 2,576
    edited February 2005
    About a month ago is was in a Super Wal-Mart and seen they carry the Pioneer SD-533HD5 like the one I have. When Pioneer was still making RPTV, this model was #1 in consumer report for almost 2 years. Its one of the only few that have the 72 point convergence. If I'm not mistaken, I think Wal-Mart was selling it for $1299.
    Money Talks, Mine says Goodbye Rob!!!!
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  • Grimster74
    Grimster74 Posts: 2,576
    edited February 2005
    Looks like it went up after Christmas, here is a link...

    http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=1978033&cat=3996&type=19&dept=3944&path=0%3A3944%3A172479%3A3996
    Money Talks, Mine says Goodbye Rob!!!!
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  • Toxis
    Toxis Posts: 5,116
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by gmorris
    I saw a commercial for Circuit City on Monday. It was for a Phillips 60" HDTV monitor for $1295. It was on sale. My guess would be it is a CRT RPTV.

    You would, of course, need a seperate HD tuner.
    it's a Philips and 60" for $1300. How good can it honestly be?
    Never kick a fresh **** on a hot day.

    Home Setup: Sony VPL-VW85 Projo, 92" Stewart Firehawk, Pioneer Elite SC-65, PS3, RTi12 fronts, CSi5, FXi6 rears, RTi6 surround backs, RTi4 height, MFW-15 Subwoofer.

    Car Setup: OEM Radio, RF 360.2v2, Polk SR6500 quad amped off 4 Xtant 1.1 100w mono amps, Xtant 6.1 to run an eD 13av.2, all Stinger wiring and Raammat deadener.
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  • gmorris
    gmorris Posts: 1,179
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by Toxis
    it's a Philips and 60" for $1300. How good can it honestly be?

    What's wrong with Phillips? You really think Pioneer or Mitsubishi is sooo much better?

    It's a CRT type, been around for 60 years now, I think Phillips can manage.
    Bob Mayo, on the keyboards. Bob Mayo.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2005
    Thanks all for the suggestions and advice, much appreciated! I already have 1 hobby I'm nuerotic about, I don't need 2. :D
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by gmorris
    What's wrong with Phillips? You really think Pioneer or Mitsubishi is sooo much better?

    It's a CRT type, been around for 60 years now, I think Phillips can manage.

    Easy killer!

    Any CRT RPTV that is 60" for $1300 throws up a warning flag that this may be their bottom-end model.
    Never Forget
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  • fireshoes
    fireshoes Posts: 3,167
    edited February 2005
    I would consider Hitachi, Toshiba, and Mitsubishi for a rear projection.
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  • gmorris
    gmorris Posts: 1,179
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by PolkThug
    Easy killer!

    Any CRT RPTV that is 60" for $1300 throws up a warning flag that this may be their bottom-end model.


    Sorry, didn't mean for that to sound nasty.

    If it makes a difference, the sale was for $707 off (don't know why). So the regular price was ~$2000.

    I always thought Phillips was well regarded. You always hear their name with Magnavox & Sony.
    Bob Mayo, on the keyboards. Bob Mayo.
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited February 2005
    I think Philips is pretty new to the big CRT RPTV market. Magnavox has fallen to the wayside (IMO). Sony makes good TV's, especially tubes.

    I'd agree with fireshoes about the Hit, Mits or Tosh, but at Steve's price range, the Panny might be his best option.
    Never Forget
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited February 2005
    I work tonight, I'll compare all of these and report back.
    Never Forget
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  • Toxis
    Toxis Posts: 5,116
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by gmorris
    Sorry, didn't mean for that to sound nasty.

    If it makes a difference, the sale was for $707 off (don't know why). So the regular price was ~$2000.

    I always thought Phillips was well regarded. You always hear their name with Magnavox & Sony.
    no offense taken. :D But honestly, that's like saying Kia is highly regarded and compared to Hyundai (magnavox) and BMW (Sony). Let's be realistic... they're far from decent quality. They're there for price points and that's about it. Problem is, even sony is going to start heading that way real soon, now that Wal-Mart has full rights to sony tv's (including XBR's!).
    Never kick a fresh **** on a hot day.

    Home Setup: Sony VPL-VW85 Projo, 92" Stewart Firehawk, Pioneer Elite SC-65, PS3, RTi12 fronts, CSi5, FXi6 rears, RTi6 surround backs, RTi4 height, MFW-15 Subwoofer.

    Car Setup: OEM Radio, RF 360.2v2, Polk SR6500 quad amped off 4 Xtant 1.1 100w mono amps, Xtant 6.1 to run an eD 13av.2, all Stinger wiring and Raammat deadener.
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited February 2005
    Philips and Magnavox are the same company I believe, so thats why you always hear the two names together. ;)
    Never Forget
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2005
    Let's be realistic... they're far from decent quality.
    You don't really know what you are talking about...Royal Philips Electronics is the largest Consumer Electronic Mfg. in Europe and #3 in the world. (behind Matsushita and Sony). Their products are considered to be "Premium Brands" in Europe (including TVs) and are very highly regarded. They sell LOTS of TVs. We see a very limited product range in the US because they have had a hard time establishing a marketing foothold here. The main reason is that they are not well known, came to the table late and did not want to move to the "low end" of the TV spectrum. They have lowered their prices to try to "buy" some market share but they are not poor quality. I own two Philips TVs and they have excellent build quality and PQ.

    Philips was one of the first to introduce widescreen and flatscreen crts. They were Key players in the development of CDs and DVDs. They are the #1 seller of DVD recorders worldwide.

    Just because you know know much about them don't assume "they're far from decent quality".
    Philips and Magnavox are the same company I believe, so thats why you always hear the two names together.
    Philips purchased Magnavox in 1974 and purchased Sylvania in 1981. They continued all the brands for a while as stand alones. Their marketing strategy was to cross brand Philips/Maganavox and ultimately phase out the Magnavox name altogether. What they found was that the markets for Philips and Magnavox were totaly opposite. As stated above Philips is considered a premium brand in Europe and Magnavox is considered to be average to low by US consumers.

    As far as the $2,000 RPT on sale for $1,300...it doesn't mean it is a low end or bad TV, but may have more to do with perception...ie: this tread...
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited February 2005
    IMO, LG is the company to be watching. They've developed a CRT tube that is not as deep as traditional tubes, this is great news for videophiles, the best quality at a smaller footprint.
    Never Forget
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  • gmorris
    gmorris Posts: 1,179
    edited February 2005
    Shack, you're awesome. I knew someone would stick up for me.;)
    Bob Mayo, on the keyboards. Bob Mayo.
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